Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

Sol Navis, a 10,000-ton (dead weight) freighter, was
built at Chester, Pennsylvania, for the Luckenbach Steamship Company.
Converted to a troop transport
while still under construction, upon completion in July 1919 she
was delivered to the Navy and apparently placed in commission
as USS Sol Navis (ID # 4031-A). During her brief service
she made at least one round-trip voyage to bring World War I veterans
home from Europe. In September 1919 it was reported that the ship
was to be turned over to the U.S. Army, and this may have happened
after the Navy transferred her to the U.S. Shipping Board in October
1919. Sol Navis was later returned to the Luckenbach firm
and had extensive commercial service as S.S. Harry Luckenbach.
On 17 March 1943, while part of Convoy HX-229, she was torpedoed
and sunk in the North Atlantic by the German submarine U-91.
Though several lifeboats reportedly left the rapidly sinking ship,
no one from the Harry Luckenbach was rescued.

This page features the only views we have concerning USS
Sol Navis (ID # 4031-A).

Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 44465

Transport Sol Navis (American Steamship, 1919)

Probably in the Delaware River when delivered to the Navy in
July 1919. This freighter was built for the Luckenbach Steamship
Company by the Sun Shipbuilding Company of Chester, Pennsylvania.
Requisitioned by the U.S. Shipping Board in 1917, while still
on the building ways, she was assigned the Navy registry ID #
4031-A and converted to a troop transport. The ship was operated
commercially as S.S. Harry Luckenbach from 1920 until
torpedoed in 1943.
Photographed by LaTour, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 525 pixels

Photo #: NH 105175

YMCA Postal Card for Returning Troops, 1919

Reverse side of a card used by returning troops to report their
arrival home from Europe. This example was sent on 27 September
1919, reporting the arrival of Joe Whalen in USS Sol Navis
(ID # 4031-A).
The front side of this card is identical to that seen in Photo # NH 103458.